It's important that Singaporeans get more time to know candidates aspiring to be their head of state

Much of the focus thus far in Singapore's political arena has been on the upcoming 11th General Election, which is likely to be called in the months after Parliament approves the Budget for the new financial year. But there is another major election slowly but surely creeping up on us. This is Singapore's fourth Presidential Election, which is due to take place sometime between June and August this year. Before November 1991, the President had a largely ceremonial role as the head of state. He had very limited discretionary power, acting mostly on the advice of the Cabinet. Earlier in January 1991, the Constitution was amended to provide for the direct election of the President by Singaporeans. That marked the culmination of a series of constitutional changes that began in the '80s. Between 1984 and 1991, the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, Nominated MP, Group Repre...